The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-20
LITTLE ROBIN"
[FRoM HARPER's YOUNG FOLKS

FROM HARPER's YOUNG FoLKs.l
No one called her that till after the Christmas
am going to tell about and when you have read tie
story you will see what good name it for her.
Bess was twelve years old--a rosy, bright eyed
little girl, who did erands for all the old ladies who
lived in the village There were n good many of
them--nce kind old souls, very busy about their
small affairs, very sociable, and very good to the
poor so they were glad to make Bess their messen-
GER and pay her for doing their errands She lived
with her grandmother, and liked to earn money
for they were poor and the old woman was getting
moro feeble every year. But Bess was strong and
well, and such wise, steady child the busiest old
lady could trust her TO match woos carry parcels
or deliver messages without a mistake. Every
morning, when all was neat in the little house. and
| grandma settled comfortably at her knitting Bess
with her big satchel on her arm, would trot from
door to door to get her orders and then go on TO the
middle of the town for the letters and the various
| things the old ladies wanted.
In this way she earned good deal, not always in
| money, but in good warm clothes for grandma and
| help about the wood and rent. Each old lady did
what she could, for none were rich but among them
Bess Jared well, and was happy, useful child be-
loved by all for her cheerful face pretty manners
| and faithfulness in everything.
One Christmas Eve she was thinking hoy vel
they getting she trudged up the long hill
with basket of pies from Miss Palmer 10 her friend
| Mrs Bake". The sun was setting splenddly, but
| the WIND was very sharp, and bitter cold night
| was coming on, with moon by and by to igt the
| merry sleghing parties. At the minister's pate
stood two pretty little children resting after a coast
| down the bank about three feet high. They were
hopping up and down to warm their toes and chat
tering like magpies though their little noses were
red, and they ought TO have been safe in the house
at that hour.
But the mother busy trimming the church.
and nurse gossipng in the kitchen, 50 little Arty
and Min got into trouble, as we shall see
zoe sad the Christmas trees came from those
woods, and saw him bring lots on his sled. So if
we go I'D we can Get dear little for the dolls,
and drag it home on my sled," said the little boy
full of the new idea, and longing for good run in
the smooth road, where bells had been jingng CAV
ly all day as sleghs few to and fro.
'Its pretty far; would mama like it % asked the
small girl eager to surprise her family of dolls with
fine tree, but remembering certain promises about
leaving the garden.
"she wouldn't mind; and Wen get a ride on the
first sleigh that comes along. Tuck upon my sled
and be ready. I'll hang on and drag you; then wen
go quick, and not be q bit tired" answered Arty
looking anxiously for horses head to come round
the corner.
Bess caIae irstead, ana nodded TO them as she
| passed "lfme TO so indoors, Run or jack Frost
| win MP your noses" she said wondering to see
! III m there so late
eve amt AFRAID. We arc going to see whera
Christmas trees grow and get one for our dollies"
called the children, waving their red mittens Bess
| never stopped to talk when doing errGnds so she
ItTlleu Ol ana iSlb lnt cnlQfen waiting for ride
Before long sleigh passed with IN old man In IT,
| and Arty hung unobseryed, while little Min
| bumped along On the yellow sled behind The horse
| went fast and soon the runaweys were far away on
the lt0p But 1t was such fun to skim along with
jlngng bells to see the trees fly by to feel that no
one knew where they were and that THIS would be
| fine adventure to tell when they got home that
they kept till the old man discovered them and
| ordered them Off at once.
'Here's nice road an over there seems to me,
see lots Of Christmas trees all shining bright" said
Arty, as lie dragged his sister into the wood along
| the path made by the sleds OF the lumbermcn.
"Do they grow with candles on 'em?" asked Min
81 shouldn't be sprised they did Ours ALWAYS
has candles, and mott Or ties the presents A,y-
way, we play this is fairy wood and everv-
| thing is splendid. Now you get off, aud wei run
down that nice little path and if that pretty red
Is fire or the sky. guess these trees are too big
for us; we must get little ana pull 1t up' di-
rected Arly feeling much elatel with his adven-
ture, and bent on exploring the forest which looked
particularly attractive just then, with the green
boughs powdered with snow.
So the innocent little souls went scrambing
deeper and deeper among the pines toward the
grove Of small trees playing they saw giants and
fairies by the way. II was warmer in the wood; n
squirrel came to welcome them an owl few by with
its soft cry es If trying 70 be agreeable and they
talked, and snowballed and pulled up a dozen
little trees before they found that suited them
Meantime the pretty light faded away, and they
realized how far from home they were.
"My boots so tired can't 90 any more; please
pull me on the Sled, Arty, said Min quite used up
and rather scared by the shadows that began to III
the corners Of the wood
81 left the sled somewhere, cause the runner
broke. I guess we won't try 10 find IT, but run
right home It's pretty late and Pm awfully
hungry amt your "Yes," answered Arty trudginp
stouly away in what he fancied was the right drec-
ton.
eyes and want to see mamma" said Min, With
q quaver in her voice suggestive Of tears
"Sow, don't you be baby. If you fret and cry
I'll never take Vol on a nice tramp again. Take
hold Of me and come along and in a minute wen
find the road and run light home"
Arty spoke brayely, but his heart began TO fail
him. for no path appeared, and the winter twilight
was darkenng fast. His little conscience told him
he had done wrong 10 go so far and every moment
he grew more and more sure that they were lost
Poor Min struggled along in tie big rubber boots
that burdened her short legs and after tumbng in
to holes slipping off icy stones, and wading through
drifts for what seemed hours 70 her weary little
feet, she suddenly stopped short, and sobbed out:
ooh, we're lost and never can find mamma
againl I'm 50 cold and tired and hungry / can't
90 any more. Please let me rest, Ary, and find my
hanchif"
"Iets both sit down and sec about #. Here's
nice log for you. Don't cry, dear. III find the way
Hcmehow. IL ia known We were going 10 be lost
I'd have had lots Of pebbles In my pocket like Hop
o'my-thuInb then we'd be all right. II IS pretty
coLl. NOilleF now hunters MAKE q hfc WhCn they
haven't any mstehe3 Seems os II read about rub
bing two sticks You rest and sec me do II, Min;
then wen be nice and warm with fire. and wolves
and bcars won't dare 10 touch US II we stay all
night"
Such dreadful idea dsnayed poor Min. and she
cried aloud, while Arty yainly rubbed two green
twigs til bis fingers were nearly frozen. This dis
appointment and his sisters dismal wailiny 90 we'll
as the darkness gathering about them, uTact the
boy and after maniqi struggle to keep buck thc